I have a brand new never been used dirt tricks tensioner If anyone needs one. The OEM tensioner goes out before to long and you'll get some wicked timing chain noise. The dirt tricks unit fixes the problem. Somehow I ended up with two, one is in my 530.

I have a brand new never been used dirt tricks tensioner If anyone needs one. The OEM tensioner goes out before to long and you'll get some wicked timing chain noise. The dirt tricks unit fixes the problem. Somehow I ended up with two, one is in my 530.

out of curiosity, how many hours were on your 530 when you replaced the tensioner?

Did the de-smog thing today, but left the crankcase breather hoses as they were, still connected to the carb intake having not found a satisfactory solution, and left the catch tank in place. From prior reading I think this will have to be removed if I want to install a skid plate. All the fuel stuff is removed and installed the 42 pilot jet from the JD kit. Instructions say turn fuel screw out 1 1/8 turns but I end up with about 2 turns out before things will run well. This was the same prior to this change where I had to back out the screw 2.25- 2.5 turns instead of 2 like the instructions say.In any case it is running well.

I finally got a new Trail Tech stator on my bike.
I have experiences with that stator before and really liked it.

The experience on the 530 was no different.
I went from a bike that I had to kick cold. And most of the time kick hot.
To a bike that I can leave the fan on all the time and use the E-start all the time.

The new stator works great.

__________________
As we age we tend to become more direct in our thoughts and actions.
For me laundry day is no longer Wishy Washy day.

First I want to say good thread. I just sold my 250sx and am looking at EXC's. Other than stroke is there much noticable difference in the 450 vs the 530. I ride desert and glamis sand dunes and want a bike that i can motard for around town as well. I already have a superduke, but I want the EXC to do some trips on fire roads in Az. Thanks for any info...

Basically identical bikes, the difference being in the stroke / power characteristics. Sounds like the 530 would be a good match for you. If you were doing a lot of single track & occassional DS rides, I'd probably opt for the 450 only because of the perceived "swing weight" (standing weight is the same). Same reason guys may pick a 400 over a 450... again, same bike except the piston/stroke.

A friend of mine that's a former pro MX'er wants to pick up a 2009 530 to do some DS'ing, Scrambles, Enduro and Ice racing with me and I was wondering if the 09 has the bugs worked out? My local dealer buddy offered me a super smoking deal on an 09 and its tough to pass up.

As I recall, the 08's had some issues with the rings?

My Buddy Ken raced a CR500, so I'm sure the 530 will put a smile on his face

Basically identical bikes, the difference being in the stroke / power characteristics. Sounds like the 530 would be a good match for you. If you were doing a lot of single track & occassional DS rides, I'd probably opt for the 450 only because of the perceived "swing weight" (standing weight is the same). Same reason guys may pick a 400 over a 450... again, same bike except the piston/stroke.

A friend of mine that's a former pro MX'er wants to pick up a 2009 530 to do some DS'ing, Scrambles, Enduro and Ice racing with me and I was wondering if the 09 has the bugs worked out? My local dealer buddy offered me a super smoking deal on an 09 and its tough to pass up.

As I recall, the 08's had some issues with the rings?

My Buddy Ken raced a CR500, so I'm sure the 530 will put a smile on his face

There are so few "bugs", it's hardly worth mentioning.. I have about 2k miles on a `08 530, and well.. What can I say that I haven't seen through out this thread? Must absolutely be the best motor cycle I've ever owned. I swore I'd keep riding the 300, but it's looking pretty forlorn over there in the corner of the garage..

I can't imagine what having a 100% hook up treleborg (SP?) in the ice would be like.. Mine pretty much lights up the tire at any speed or gear.. If I could just get it to STICK..

The frame standoff thing is easy to fix, my rings are fine - the smog stuff is on the way out as I type.. Easy tweaks for such an amazing machine..